This workshop is an introduction to pensions for those with little or no previous pensions knowledge, working either in a pensions role or an allied business area where pensions knowledge would be advantageous. Our expert panel will talk through the essentials of the pensions industry.

For over forty years, the Pensions Management Institute has provided its members and wider society with information and insight, regarding pensions and employee benefits through its regular events, seminars and our member magazine.

Lots of savers around the world don't engage with pension communications, particularly those that have been automatically enrolled. The approach's use of inertia means that these savers tend to have lower levels of awareness and engagement compared to those who made an active decision to start saving in a scheme.

Researchers have become focused on the challenge of how to engage pension savers, and in recent years a lot of progress has been made. One idea is to time pension communications more effectively so the message reaches the saver during important life events when they're believed to be more receptive.

NEST Insight, along with Maastricht University and Netspar, recently conducted a series of in-depth interviews, and a survey with NEST members, to find out more.

CPPIB makes airport offer

NEW ZEALAND - CPPIB has put a partial takeover offer for Auckland International Airport (AIA) directly to investors, after its initial proposal was rejected by the airport's board.

Mark Wiseman, senior vice president for senior investments at CPPIB, said he was confident shareholders would recognise the value in its offer for 40% of AIA, in which it will pay investors NZ$3.66 (US$2.85) a share.

The offer comprises a convertible note valued at NZ$2.75, 20 cents in cash and a share worth 70.55 cents in a new holding company for each airport stock held.

It represents a premium of 31% or $0.85 over the share price at market close on Thursday and a premium of 50% above the volume weighted average trading price over the one month period up to and including 4 May, the day just prior to takeover speculation.

As a further sweetener, it said it would pay broker handling fees for investors who accept its partial takeover offer for AIA.

In November, board members voted overwhelmingly against CPPIB's first offer, after Standard & Poor's confirmed the airport's credit rating would be downgraded from A to BBB- due to an increase in the level of debt if the deal went ahead.

Wiseman said: "We strongly believe it is an attractive and fair offer, and encourage shareholders to accept and approve the offer.

"We are a long term, patient investor with the ability to bring extensive resources to enhance the performance of the airport business and assist the management team in achieving the goals of the airport's Master Plan."

Tony Frankham, chairman of the AIA board, said directors would be meeting this weekend to finalise their recommendation to shareholders.

"The directors are committed to providing information to enable shareholders to assess the offer, to take advice and to form their views on the offer based on their own circumstances."

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Collective defined contribution (CDC) schemes will need clear and transparent governance frameworks, as well as effective communication strategies, to be a success, the Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) has been told.